You Can Do It!
Tips from the research and a life-long stress case
We all feel stressed out about big assignments. Some of us worry that we won't be able to do a satisfactory job, and some of us avoid the task all together because we don't know how to get started.
The goal of this Book Builder project is to present some basic strategies that will help everyone deal with the stress that comes with every major assignment.
So What is Stress Anyway?
Negative emotions evolved because they are incredibly important to survival. It is critical that we fear certain things in our environment, because if we don't we could be lunch!
The limbic system is the part of the human brain responsible for fear response.
Of course this system is an important part of many animal brains, but humans do something that no other animal can do. We imagine the future, and in doing so we can think of all the possible things that could go wrong. We fear these consequences at that activates our brain's limbic system and cause our body to release a hormone called cortisol .
So stress is our bodies being fearful of things that haven't yet occured - but might. This can be incredibly useful, after all imagining the consequences of not turning in any assignments might motivate you to get to work.
But when we stress too much, it can be very damaging, and definitely make it hard for us to get anything done.
Check out this youtube video of a scientist discussing the different between postive and negative stress.
The good news is that stress is definitely manageable and managing your stress is exactly what I hope to do with this project.
Break Down the Assignment
When we read a lot of text, we put our brain's working memory to the test. If we try to juggle too much information at once, we will have a hard time figuring out what we're supposed to do. Simplifying the information, is great way to help us understand what we actually need to do.
Click the next page to see this assignment simplified.
The yellow shading highlights the command statements in the assignment. These are things I definitely need to do in order to finish the assignment correctly. Notice how little yellow there is on the page!
The blue shading highlights hints on how to complete the assignment. These hints will be very helpful when I start writing my essay.
The word argument kept coming up in the task. If words are repeated many times, it must mean that the person who wrote the assignment thought those words were important. I better make sure that my essay centers around an argument.
Make a List
Lists are a great way to help us figure out what steps we need to take to reach our goal. It also allows us to feel rewarded for completing steps of an assignment, rather than having to wait until we finally finish the whole thing to feel like we've got something substantial done.
The above list was made from a free online program called tadalist. Virtual lists are nice because you can easily reorganize and even rearrange list items as you complete the task.
Talk It Out
Before can I figure out what I want to write about, I usually need to present my ideas to someone first. Often times my argument is hidden somewhere in my thoughts, and when I present those thoughts to someone else, they can help me find what I'm trying to say!
Click on the audio link below for some conversation starters.
There are a lot of good ways to talk it out! Click on the coaches for some advice.
Strategize
Now that we have a sense of what we want to write about, it's time to start checking off some of our list items. There are many ways to attack our list, so choose a way that works best for you.
I personally like to do the hardest parts first and save the easier parts for later.
My friend Ashley likes to do just the opposite! She prefers to pick the low hanging fruit first, and then grab the tough to reach fruit later.
Write Now, Revise Later
The first sentence is always the toughest one to write. Don't let yourself get stressed out staring at a blank screen! Your first draft won't be perfect. Take it from Ernest Hemingway who said:
"The first draft of anything is s*** ."
A draft serves to get our ideas on paper and we can always revise, reorganize, or rewrite sections. But we can't do any of those things unless we first get our thoughts on the page. Instead of staring at the blank screen just write something for now and revise it later.
Some people like to outline before they draft. Click on this link to watch a youtube video, instructing students how to make an outline.
Click on the audio clip below for another helpful tip.
Work Towards Reward
DId you know that our brain is full of a chemical called dopamine? Scientists believe dopamine is responsible for that feel good feeling.
After I finish my paper I definitely get that dopamine release. But I also make sure to get some dopamine flowing while I work by setting smaller goals so I can feel rewarded when I complete those goals. Click on the coaches to get some suggestions on how you can feel rewarded, instead of stressed even during the writing process.
Exercise
Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, but don't take it from me. Click on this link to read about all the ways exercise can lower stress levels.
When I exercise, I let my mind wonder and a great idea pops into my head! My brain is thinking about the problem unconsciously and amazingly I find the solution by not focusing on the problem.
Click on the coaches for some exercise advice.
Change Your Surroundings
Sometimes the best thing to do is to leave your room and work in a new location. A new workspace can help minimize distractions (like the ones pictured above) and it can actually help reduce stress. Believe it or not, we associate stress with our surroundings. That means if you've been sitting at your desk totally stressed out, just physically being at your desk can be a stressful experience.
Click on the coaches for some good places to work.
Don't Be Afraid to Get Help
Seeking out help is not a sign of weakness. We all need help sometimes (just ask the Beatles), and using the resources available is always a good idea when you're feeling lost in the weeds.
Click on the coaches for some suggestions on how to get the help you need.
Click on the audio link to hear what a teacher has to say about getting help.
Time to See What You've Learned
Now that you've read through this book, it's time for you to put these tips to the test. Grab an assignment and let's review the steps together.
Break Down the Assignment- Get rid of all that extra information and figure out what you need to do.
Make a List- Once you've figured out what the assignment is asking, make a list that catalogs exactly what needs to get done.
Talk It Out - If you're having a hard time getting started, talk to someone (e.g. friend, teacher, person in the writing center) to help get your ideas more fully formed.
Strategize - Decide how you want to approach your list. Some things have to be done first (like making your argument) but you can be flexible with most of the items. You can also make an outline so that you can work on the middle of your paper before you write the introduction.
Write Now, Revise Later - Don't look at the blank screen waiting for beautiful sentences to magically appear. Good writing takes multiple drafts, so the first one won't be perfect.
Work Towards Reward - Set small goals and feel good when you finish them.
Exercise - One of the best ways to relieve stress is to exercise. Even if you only have time for a walk around the block, then take that walk! You might also find that a great idea comes to you when you let your mind take a break from the assignment.
Change Your Surroundings - We associate stress with our workspaces. Try a new environment, with minimal distraction, if you can't seem to get anything done in your room.
Don't Be Afraid to Get Help - People want to help you and you should let them!
Click on the audio link below for one last message.